The identity of a person referred to as “Dollar” came under scrutiny after the prime accused in a Pallabi child rape and murder case made fresh allegations on the opening day of his trial, prompting questions over whether a third suspect exists.
The case, filed with the Children’s Violence Suppression Tribunal in Dhaka, relates to the rape and murder of a second-grade student in the Mirpur-11 area.
On Monday, after a charge-framing hearing, accused Sohel Rana told journalists outside the court that a person named “Dollar” was also involved in the crime. He claimed he did not commit the rape and said he only dismembered the victim’s body, alleging that “Dollar” carried out the sexual assault.
Sohel further claimed that “Dollar” promised him Tk 2 lakh in exchange for arranging the victim. He also said his wife, Swapna Akhter, is innocent.
His statement has raised renewed questions about the existence of “Dollar,” with investigators saying no evidence of such an individual has been found.
Pallabi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Hasan Basir said there is no trace of any third suspect in the case.
“We have found no evidence of anyone other than Sohel Rana and his wife at the scene. The matter has been verified from multiple angles. He may now be attempting to introduce a new narrative,” he said.
Investigating officer SI Md Ohiuzzaman also told the tribunal that forensic findings, physical evidence, witness statements and the accused’s confessional statement all point to the involvement of only the two charge-sheeted accused.
Following Sohel’s allegation, the issue was raised with the Home Minister at the Secretariat on Tuesday, who said he had no information regarding any person named “Dollar” and noted that most witness testimonies in the case had already been completed. He added that the government was working to ensure a swift conclusion of the trial.
During court proceedings, the victim’s father, Abdus Hannan Molla, broke down while giving testimony, recounting the events of the day of the incident and saying he had never seen the accused before.
According to the case details, on May 19, Sohel Rana and his wife allegedly lured the seven-year-old girl from her residence in Section-11 of Mirpur and took her to their flat, where she was raped and murdered. The prosecution alleges the body was later dismembered and concealed under a bed in an attempt to destroy evidence.
Police later arrested Swapna Akhter from the scene, while Sohel Rana was detained from Fatullah in Narayanganj. He later gave a confessional statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. A charge sheet was submitted against both accused, and the tribunal framed charges on June 1, formally beginning the trial.
As proceedings continue, the emergence of the name “Dollar” has drawn public attention, though investigators maintain there is no supporting evidence so far. Whether the claim leads to a new investigative direction or is dismissed as part of the defence strategy remains to be seen.
